Ancestors to the Build-able Action Figure

[pocketmego]

This is the earliest example I've seen of the Constraction Figure. And much like Block Building ancestors, the idea is there...but the execution really isn't.

Clearly, other examples of this concept of the build it yourself toy soldier and Action Figure are out there. Micronauts immediately come to mind. But, this is the most blatant example of a figure sold in pieces and then assembled by the buyer.

Any other examples of this kind of thing preceeding Throwbots etc...

The Japanese were doing some interesting things with snap on armor pieces and the like years before Bionicle, the most famous example I can think of would be Gundam Model Kits.

[DraikNova]

Action figures go back centuries, starting out simply as less girly dolls. The first buildable action figures, however...

[Aanchir]

This is very interesting. I wouldn't have thought buildable action figures went back that far. I wonder if LEGO was the first company to incorporate ball joints into a buildable action figure, or whether there are older examples that played with the concept.

[zero1312]

Now I suddenly feel old...

[MoralWarfare]

This is very interesting. I wouldn't have thought buildable action figures went back that far. I wonder if LEGO was the first company to incorporate ball joints into a buildable action figure, or whether there are older examples that played with the concept.

Stikfas and Xevoz were modular using a ball joint system to snap the major limbs together. Thats a good example of buildable action figures that used ball joints.

And lets not forget the indie toyline Glyos. That smacks the crap out of Hero Factory. And its been around for much longer! There are many, many, buildable action figure lines if you aren't afraid to break off into the indie market.

[pocketmego]

I got into Stikfas at around close to Bionicle's second year or so. So not really ancestors, BUT no question that they probably inspired the Inikas build and eventually HF.

[Aanchir]

I got into Stikfas at around close to Bionicle's second year or so. So not really ancestors, BUT no question that they probably inspired the Inikas build and eventually HF.

I wouldn't be so sure, considering LEGO Technic figures had about the same points of articulation years before LEGO had even created any "action figure themes". So there's not necessarily any reason to think they were inspired by a competing product. It was just a natural extension of the build they had been using for their own products.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Aanchir

[pocketmego]

I wouldn't be so sure, considering LEGO Technic figures had about the same points of articulation years before LEGO had even created any "action figure themes". So there's not necessarily any reason to think they were inspired by a competing product. It was just a natural extension of the build they had been using for their own products.

Actually, you're probably right.